Lessons from Marie

This last week my Grandma Marie passed away. She was an incredible woman who taught me so many things — some more serious than others, yet all important to who I am today.

She was strong and beautiful and kind. Although my mother grew up in Kentucky, I have always thought of my Grandma Marie as my example of what a “southern woman” should be. Its through the stories of her and her extended network of friends and family that I understand what makes the women in my family the strong, elegant, and charismatic women that they are.

Here are some of the lessons her life has taught me:

1) The secret to beautiful, soft skin is Vaseline.

2) Fight until your last breath for your right to wear heels.

3) There is such a thing as too much vanilla… however, its good to always test the limits.

4) There’s nothing better than a cold root beer on a hot day.

5) Family is the most important thing in the world.

6) Family doesn’t always mean blood — if you have any extra love to give, try to include as many people in your family as possible.

7) Try to really narrow things down: what do you want, and what do you need? However, its occasionally okay to just give in and go for what you want.

8) Dance whenever you get the chance.

9) Gifts are important for showing people how much you care about them, no matter how small.